How To Sharpen a Plane Blade (The Correct Method)

[@hhelsinger]

Matt, your videos on sharpening and setting a plane blade have taught me I've been doing it wrong for 55 years. That you are right is absolutely clear from the results I've immediately gotten. I've spent the evening sharpening all seven planes. Easy - and Spectacular -- thanks.

[@garykahne1266]

Single best and most comprehensive lapping and sharpening video or lesson I have ever seen.

[@Beamish32]

My 15 year old son has recently shown an interest in woodwork. I have never really had a clue and my dad unfortunately died 3 years before Jack was born so we haven't got the master to teach us. Recently helped my mum go through the garage and sort out some of dad's old tool hoard. I have the whetstones and planes and this video is really going to help us sharpen everything. Thank you despite the fact that it's a 2 year old video. Liked and subscribed

[@Beamish32]

Is there any rule of thumb to tell me what these 3 stones are? Colour, finger roughness etc?

[@potvinsuks8730]

Must be in the blood!

[@mrsdoyle1966]

@@Beamish32 just get an oil stone. yes the king wet stone will get a stupid finish to the blade its not necessary and a waste of time. if you can ... like he says, get the tip of the blade polished and your are 90%

[@MrDerpGLP]

Hey Matt, I'm just a woodworking apprentice at the moment... but man you show me once again why this craft is the best in the world. Thanks for the motivation again and again and again. Looking forward to your next video.

[@ernoldsame1868]

Ah man, that’s nice. Good luck with you’re woodworking career bro ✌️

[@vernoncrown]

I am a handplane nut! I have almost a dozen planes including two old #8"s that I restored. I watched your video on sharpening and made changes to my old method. I can now cut shavings so thin in popular and pine that you can almost see through the shavings. Awesome!

[@MrWenglish]

What an OUTSTANDING presentation. Video and audio quality is excellent. Matt, you speak clearly, and your carefully explained processes are so helpful. One of the best presentations I have heard in years. I have learnt much and very grateful to you. Well done and thank you.

[@NeoGeoEch13]

I've seen around 50 vids on sharpening, but the small sketch you did for the primary and secondary bevels and when to actually flatten the whole thing again to ~25, was the extra mile. Congrats man!

[@johnjmorris]

This video has by far been the best at explaining the what, why, and how to getting a proper camber on a planing iron/blade. Many thanks for this very insightful video - and for the many others that keep us "sharp!"

[@Danny-ul4sq]

Love the start. You're killing me with the hammer thing. And so nice to get back to instructional videos. Really liked your other stuff, but knowledge transfer from you is worth gold.

[@Thatguy-2083]

Brilliant video mate wood working was my first profession i then went on to military service and now im a lori driver and am looking to get back into wood working and videos like this are exactly what i was looking for as a refresher...cheers

[@seanphillips7766]

By far the best plane sharpening instruction I've found. My planes are next level now thanks to following your instruction. I had made a mess of them trying to sharpen without a honing guide. Thanks so much, great stuff!

[@bboeckman]

I'm only half way into this video and I can honestly say that it's the best video on this topic out there. I've watched countless, and none got this done so well. Saved and subscribed. Well done.

[@1pcfred]

This is the legit method. Everyone else is full of it. Do this if you want to do it right.

[@buckhorncortez]

Oh please, it's not magic and not the only way to sharpen a plane blade.

[@1pcfred]

@@buckhorncortez there's always two ways to do everything. The right way and all of the other ways. This here is the right way. Although I would beg to differ with his honing choices. But on hollow ground tools it's a minor quibble. Being as you have to hone so little anyways. And you're right it isn't magic. You use the right techniques and you get the correct results. Everything else is just faffing about.

[@MtJensen18]

Again Matt, you do such a good job at making all the knowledge easy to grasp and apply. Love your teaching method.

[@abbbee8918]

Matt, I really like your teaching style. I’m new to woodworking and am looking for a way into this beautiful craft. I really feel as though I have learned a lot from each of your videos, thank you. You are confident about giving advice without ever coming across as arrogant, quite the opposite. You know, and say, if there is something you are not experienced at/with.

[@Zie_carpentry]

😊😊😊👍

[@StringPlayer513]

Hi Matt - I'm really glad (and lucky) to have found you and your videos. Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us the right way to do things. You are seriously appreciated.

[@ytdaytona1]

It's great to sea someone demonstrating this kind of thing that knows what he is talking about. Well done.

[@daveychainsaw961]

This is a video i would have loved when i was starting out. You have a gift for teaching and you do so in a quick and concise way.

[@txm11-t4u]

Excellent. The difference between a craftsman and an influencer.

[@DloWestside]

Followed video and I’ve never had my plane perform like this ever before. Thank you. The camber part was 🙌 godsend

[@kevinfox7660]

Thank you so much for an excellent intro on blade sharpening. Blade sharpening was a mystery to me and now you have put me on the right track to learn and sharpen my skills.

[@andrejsv5083]

Hey Matt, I'm IT world member, who sometime like to do an work at woodworking by my hands. Your tips is the best and very understandable from what I have ever seen ever. Huge Thanks!

[@moreisdifferent]

I've watched many sharpening videos over the years and improved my technique and results gradually, but stropping by hand never worked for me till I watched this video. My honing compound always crumbled on the strop and I used to get poor results. Just a few drops of 3 in 1 oil was all I've been missing, and nobody else mentioned that. Thanks Matt!

[@kevinharris931]

Dude: you humble me. I have been sharpening edges for years for all kinds of tasks, and you not only taught me something new; but, you reminded me of things I had forgotten. I don't think English has a word for that. Thank you so much.

[@ADwOS]

I love the smell of fresh content at 3:00am in the morning. Smells like... insomnia!

[@adellacharlton235]

Hi Matt. I just need to tell you that I have finally managed to sharpen my no4 plane and have made shavings!!! Have watched your tutorials at least 5 times! Thank you.

[@TiffMcGiff]

As a beginner, these videos are second to none. Good job man.

[@freddavis5544]

I want to thank you. I took shop class starting in 8th grade thru 12th. my shop teachers never showed anything about the plane. I didn't know the parts let alone how to use or sharpen. Their way of teaching was here is the plane there's the wood. Oh yeah, I'm 77years old. Thanks again.

[@codelicious6590]

Great stuff! Youve already got an incredible leg up on the world having accrued such a solid knowledge base at such a fresh young age, no truly wise older person would ever hold something like that against you unless of course he was just incredibly jealous!

[@BlakePizzey]

I'm so happy your back to the instructional videos! Keep them coming.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Hello sir 🙏🤝🤝🤝

[@AlanAitken-k2x]

Great Video. The best explanation i have found and went straight out to the shed and for the first time managed to get the blade sharp and then take proper shavings. Thank you. 👍

[@TheSMEAC]

Thanks Matt. I still remember the moment I had the ahh ha moment and discovered what sharp really felt like. It really is that moment when everything becomes far more enjoyable. I recently sold my L-N No° 5 for my L-N No° 5-1/2; so now the No° 4 and 5-1/2 are my only bevel down planes; LAG, Shooting, and Jointer, etc are all bevel up. Finding what sharp really is, is probably the first moment where one can make genuine strides towards what ‘forever’ tools they’re going to settle on. Thank for the content and I’m looking forward to the next woodworking school project 👍

[@tomtresco2952]

I was taught by a Master Joiner in 1963, 7 year apprenticeship so I know a little about wood, however, your sharpening method is 2nd to none, loved watching it. Ps . Karma story was a cracker lol , you never stop learning in this game however long you've been in the trade, well done and thanks

[@samtheman0876534]

Great video Matt, I always pick up something new from your videos. The ruler trick is very handy to know and also your doing a great job explaining it simple for us common folk.

[@Zie_carpentry]

🙏🤝🤝🤝

[@philiplloyd7282]

Fantastically clear explanation of how to sharpen a chisel or plane blade. Thanks.

[@ybab-j]

the camber on the plane…that’s next level and left out of a LOT of tutorials. next level stuff as always!

[@mikemcdermott4869]

Awesome videos Matt well structured, presented and so very easy to follow. A lot of the stuff I already knew, but lacked depth, other stuff I didn't know, but now do. Excellent stuff.

[@Nemozoli]

As a hobbyist knife maker, seeing you hammer the edge just sent shivers along my spine. Great video on sharpening!

[@vosifle]

Best woodworking tutorials on KZbin! Thank you Matt!

[@TheEphemeris]

I was literally looking for something to put on while I regrind and touch up an old plane I'm restoring... Remarkably good timing

[@jamesduffin9417]

Wow that’s great timing lucky you!!

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

I love your tutorials on sharping you explain it so well.And by following you method my planes and chisels are razor sharp so thanks heaps

[@johncoulter9287]

I really like your thorough teaching of each specific part. Thank You.

[@richardpowles-brown2775]

Best sharpening video yet. Thanks you explained everything.

[@douglasbrown3493]

you have the best woodworking videos on YT. TY.

[@cdnbean]

Again - super informative and educational that is easily digestible :-) thank you for helping me get my sharpening to the next level!!

[@whatyousaidbud]

Cheers fella, as a 35yr old who is getting back into woodworking after not doing much since my apprenticeship, this is very useful!!

[@waynepiaskowski7655]

I just bought 2 planes in great shape at an antique store for $10. I dont really know how to use them but I have a big project that requires I learn fast. You answered a lot of questions in this video alone. I now understand backlash, setup, and sharpening much better.

[@astronemir]

Gonna put this on tonight while sharpening my new wooden planes and one Rapier 400.

[@michaelcarson4840]

Thank you I have always been confused about planes thank you for sharing your knowledge. Very much appreciated

[@apmeehan]

Absolutely fantastic video. Incredibly info-dense, while also being entirely accessible and digestible. Not to mention genuinely funny ("Oh that didn't w-" _JUMP CUT_ ). As a newbie, to be reassured about the things that don't matter is incredibly freeing, allowing me to concern myself only with the things that _do_ (such as "NEVER ADD A BACK-BEVEL TO YOUR CHISELS", which I _may well_ have done had I not been told otherwise at exactly this point). And to not only be given some clarity around the terminology (eg. the distinctions between sharpening/lapping/honing/grinding/polishing) but also have it explained that these terms are not even strictly defined, really helps with information-overload and the "analysis paralysis" that afflicts so many of us beginners. Thank you so much.

[@jamesharris5156]

Great vid! I sharpen almost exactly the same way. Sharpie’s work great to tell if you’re sharpening the correct angle/check flatness. Also, to get perfect blade and stone flatness, I use wet/dry sandpaper on a mirror. Also also, the sandpaper on a mirror trick works great for polishing the sides and bottom of your plane. Turn your $50 planer into a $400 planer with $3 worth of Harbor Freight wedges/dry paper. I just got done polishing mine and gave it a coat of PTFE WD40. Absolutely blew my mind how much friction was removed. Don’t even need a plane stop for a lot of stuff.

[@paulphotios3920]

I use a horizontal bench grinder with a very good guide fitted. Very light take off each time and keep it kool. Used this to resharpen planer blades which are quite large. I use a diamond stone to sharpen chain saw chains.

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

Clear and instructive guidance. Thankyou.

[@smarthandsomeguy]

10/10 video. Dense, fact-based, very well presented.

[@rickjames501]

great diagrams. Better than Rob's descriptions. Earned a subscription from me for this! Thanks!

[@angelaburt3266]

Matt, thanks for such great explanation and demo. Every day is a school day.

[@MrWenglish]

You give a thoroughly good presentation. Your explanations and demos are great and your knowledge on the subject matter is outstanding. Thanks very much for an invaluable and enjoyable video,

[@sonicdewd]

Among other things, the cadence of this instructible was spot on.

[@cushionbelly2519]

I am old enough to be your father (Luke). However, I've always known I'm never too old to learn things. What an excellently explained video. Thank you.

[@reaper060670]

I got a #4 smoothing plane. It's not an expensive one. I don't want to spend big while I'm learning. I'm actually enjoying the whole process of sharpening both bevels on the plane blade atm but I'm sure that may weigh thin one day. I love using the plane atm. It's a great feeling not using my jointer thicknesser to get a flat edge or surface. I'm getting far more enjoyment out of using the hand planes and chisels and Hand saws atm. It's brilliant. Thanks for these videos showing newbs like me how it's done. I enjoy ur videos bcos there's a lot to learn in them but u also make us chuckle a bit too.

[@HarmonieZvuku-harfy-kalimby]

Thank you! That is a good tutorial. I saw quite a lot videos about this and I found my own way but... Now I see I was really doing some mistakes... This will make my sharpening better and faster! Thanks, Tomas

[@kevinetchells204]

Hi Matt, use your videos to support our learners. Always good to show that we all have slightly different methods. Full of content. I have a personal grind (Pun) with the figure 8 as I was taught by old old traditional carpenter joiners who indoctrinated that figure 8s for gouges only, and this habit differentiated the craft from the prolatariate. Flat grinding flat stone. Mind you they had many stones for many cutting blades. Same with hand strop. Very old joiners would have a leather, however their hands were much tougher because they did more work than these day with hand tools.

[@mileshh515]

Matt mentioned bench grinders. Using a CBN wheel is a great option. It keeps the steel much cooler than an oxide wheel and works fast. Pretty cost effective too, you can get a Rikon slow speed grinder for US$150 and a CBN wheel for around the same. Less than the Tormek at least.

[@64puma64]

Brilliant as usual Matt. Best explanation I’ve heard. And a Lost Art Press book on the shelf behind you. Feckin genius.

[@BeachBoi1000]

He is a teacher at woodworking school. So that explains why he can explain things so understandable.

[@grahamtunstall6881]

Hiya. Great video on Sharpening which id love to try. However I can’t find any links to the stones, honing guide & strop you mentioned. Can you send links separately or how can I find these products? Thanks in advance GT

[@peterkenyonjr]

Great video. Randomly popped up on my feed but found it really informative. Thanks!

[@JustTony72]

It's great to see you go back to your roots of these tutorials. of course you're other content is also good.

[@steveexcell7017]

Great video! A MagSwitch makes and nice "finger" handhold for polishing the back of hand plane blades.

[@Solid_Jackson]

This is a bloody good video, well produced, well edited, good script, subbed

[@matthewhardesty6872]

Maybe warm water is more the go during winter months! Love the tips and vid, thank you for the vital, more nuanced instructions most leave out.

[@micrecrocodile]

Man! Thank you so much for making all your video, I learned so much from watching just a few! live for 100 years!

[@benjaminthomas2626]

This is really informative, great tips that would take years to learn. Loved the intro, nice bit of humour😂.

[@wingrider1004]

Excellent video - I watch these types of videos and your presentation is very good.

[@envisiotube]

Perfect learning material. No wonder you have so much subscribers ... Thanks!

[@jss127ess]

Wow, this is so good. Great job Matt. Love your sense of humor! Couple of questions, can a diamond stone be used for lapping? Also, you mentioned that diamond stones clog more often than whetstones. What's the best way to unclog a diamond stone?

[@michellek5789]

That plane is just beautiful!

[@MrJeffbraz]

So thorough you are very good at explaining in detail I have not used a plane so far but I feel very confident to do so well done mate

[@kevinwood9993]

Hi Matt, thanks for the video, just a quick question, can you confirm whether or not you are supposed to be using water with the diamond honing wheel, I'm sure I have seen or read that you are advised to use them dry.

[@danhobbs7847]

Loved the video, very informative, especially on the camber on plane blade. Thank you soo much.

[@gazobee]

Just discovered your channel after the video on Robin Clevett’s channel. I have to say I like your style. I shall start consuming the content.

[@AdamAugustPhoto]

Glad you released this today. I'm restoring my grandads manky old record 078 rebate plane & I would have put a camber on the blade. Logical why you wouldn't when you think about it.

[@Daniel-df3hw]

You're a phenomenal teacher, man.

[@everready19373]

I don't know a darn thing about planes. I pick up a Stanley Handyman yesterday and just finished refurbishing it. Thanks to videos like this I got it cutting oak and walnut pretty nicely, IMHO.

[@PapaFlammy69]

Matt be back on the YT grind :^)

[@Zie_carpentry]

Hello friend

[@leelchandmahabeer3427]

Brilliantly done. Thank you very much. Very well presented video.

[@sigogglin]

I am advanced beginner trending towards more hand tools so this helps a lot.

[@jamesduffin9417]

Love the video explains sharpening so well. Love the merch plug too, did you get inspiration from Linus?

[@RGRGJKK]

Pura vida Matt great explanation thanks this videos help me a lot in order to improve my sharpening techniques.pura vida Matt and guys

[@That_one_scene_kid33]

This is a great tutorial for my unscrewed pencil sharpener blade

[@frankmiller7523]

This is the sort of knowledge that you normally only get after working with a master craftsman for a full apprenticeship. It may be more popular in certain parts of the world with unmodulated heavy metal music, but I like the succinct, informative and technical style better.

[@marcusaquino6105]

Keep making videos. You are good at this.

[@kantarjiev]

Super content, I have been enjoying a lot of your videos since finding your channel. The one thing I wish you'd address is sharpening/adjusting the chip breaker... I didn't see that in either the sharpening or setup video, but maybe I nodded off.

[@DesignByAntonioForteza]

this is a super good video a sharpening. Everything you did cached my attention. Bravo

[@josephciaravino4115]

I finally understand this plane stuff! Thank you!

[@roncouch]

You know something fella, really like your style! If you’re not already teaching youngsters in schools I’d be a tad disappointed. Am in my mid-eighties, an engineer by profession and still not too old to learn - even if it is from a youngster😇 Not come across this site before so, have added it to my library as I am doing more woodworking than engineering since I retired over twenty years ago. I found it to be a really good tutorial, thank you. And yes, did know about the ruler “trick”, but nice to be reminded, none-the-less.

[@pieterdesmijter420]

Nice video! One question: Why don’t you use the honing guide also on the Leather? Easier to get the correct angle, no? Thanks a lot!

[@salimufari]

Okay Matt Here is my case against Hollow Grind on a plane blade edge. Since the arc left is perpendicular to the force of the cut you lack the supporting metal that helps prevent chipping in the cutting edge. As long as the cutting edge has an angle less than the plane bed at the frog even having a convex cutting edge would help transfer the energy through the blade rather than against the arc of a hollow ground surface. I know this effect is minimized especially with a secondary bevel but it's based on the mechanical effect of the arc vs force used. It may sound pedantic but it's how this was explained to me.

[@roderik1990]

Honestly I'd think that the curvature of the hollow grind be shallow enough such that you can effectively see it as a flat grind. IMHO it matters more at the more acute edge angles.

[@slaughterhouse6461]

A tip from an old cabinet making magazine I have - use sandpaper on a sheet of glass to flatten out your stone and a small amount of water/oil dependant on the stone type.

[@robohippy]

Watched this again, just to refresh my memory. That never hurts..... I used to have a memory.... Still learning to use hand planes.

[@ZedRMAV]

This guy just earned a subscription